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FACT SHEET FOR PATIENTS AND FAMILIES
Fecal Microbiota Therapy:
Recipient Information
What is fecal microbiota therapy?
What are the benefits?
is a procedure to treat
bacterial infections in the gut. These infections are
caused by a germ called Clostridium difficile, which
is usually just called C. diff. FMT involves using one
of several ways to put healthy bacteria from a donor’s
feces into your intestines to fight the infection. (Other
common names for feces include stool, fecal matter,
poop, and bowel movement.)
FMT may be able to eliminate your C. diff infection
completely, lessen or get rid of diarrhea, and lessen or
get rid of stomach pain.
Fecal microbiota therapy (FMT)
Therapy options include:
•• Colonoscopy (most common). A long, flexible tube,
called a colonoscope, is inserted into your rectum.
The donor material is passed through it into your
large intestine. (The other common name for large
intestine is colon.)
•• Endoscopy. This may be another method used
to place donor material into your gut. It involves
inserting a soft, flexible nasojejunal tube, or an
endoscope, into the nose or mouth, respectively, past
the stomach, and into your small intestine where the
donor material will be placed.
•• Capsule. Some fecal transplants are now available in
capsules that can be swallowed.
•• Enema bag. A bag containing the fecal matter is
attached to a tube that is inserted into the rectum.
The fecal matter is put into your colon using pressure.
Most C. diff infections can be treated with an antibiotic,
which is a medicine that kills bacteria. When
antibiotics don’t work, FMT may work better.
Why does my doctor recommend FMT?
FMT may help you if the C. diff infection comes back
two or more times, doesn’t go away after taking an
antibiotic, or gets worse. FMT works very well and gets
rid of C. diff in 9 out of 10 people. For most people,
symptoms improve within days after the procedure and
go away within 2 weeks. Sometimes, more than one
treatment is needed to eliminate the C. diff infection.
What are the risks?
•• Short-lasting diarrhea, cramping, or belching
•• Infection passed from the donor to the recipient
•• Normal risks related to the therapy methods
Are there alternative treatments?
Yes. People with C. diff infections can also try
antibiotics or waiting to see whether the health
problem improves or gets worse without treatment.
Who can donate stool?
A stool donor should be a healthy person who doesn’t
have problems that could be passed to you. A possible
donor may be someone that you know, someone that
your doctor knows, or someone who has donated
stool to a medical company.
No matter how donors are picked, they must pass a
careful screening. Donor screening involves answering
health questions and testing blood and stool. People
shouldn’t donate stool if they have:
•• Certain infectious diseases or recent exposures to
HIV or hepatitis
•• Long-lasting digestive problems such as Crohn’s
disease or irritable bowel syndrome
•• Participated in activities such as risky sexual
activity, drug use, or had recent tattoos or piercings
•• Recently used certain medicines like antibiotics,
immunosuppressants (medicines that can lower the
body’s ability to fight germs), or cancer medicine
•• Traveled to countries where certain diseases
are more common like some infectious brain
diseases or diseases that cause diarrhea
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What happens before the procedure?
Your doctor will most likely send you to a medical specialist who performs fecal transplants. Their staff will:
•• Complete screening tests. You and the donor will be checked for certain illnesses and bacteria.
•• Provide instructions. Doctors and nurses will tell you and the donor more about the procedure and give you
special instructions. You’ll also sign a form, giving them permission to treat you.
•• Discuss medicine and prepare your colon. Your colon may need to be clear before some FMT procedures. If so,
your doctor will give you a laxative to clean out your colon. You’ll also need to stop eating for at least 24 hours, stop
drinking for 4 to 6 hours, and possibly stop taking some kinds of medicine (like antibiotics) before the procedure.
•• Prepare the donor’s stool. Medical staff will prepare the donor’s stool before putting it in your intestines. They’ll
add sterile salt water to the stool and then filter it to remove any solid material. Sometimes, the stool will be
prepared, frozen, and stored until the day of the transplant.
What happens during the procedure?
The doctor puts a small amount of the donor’s feces into your intestines using one of these methods.
endoscope
or
or
donor
material
in colon
colonoscope
A colonoscope, is inserted into
your rectum, the donor material is
put into your colon, and the tube
is then removed. The doctor will
put medicine directly into your
blood, through an IV, to help you
relax or sleep.
Some fecal transplants
are now available
in capsules that can
be swallowed.
or
donor
material
in small
intestine
A nasojejunal tube, or an
endoscope, can be inserted into the
nose or mouth, past the stomach,
and into the small intestine. The
donor material will be placed there
through the tube or endoscope, but
you won’t taste it. The tube is then
removed. You’ll be awake, but given
medicine to help you relax.
The tube on an enema
bag can be inserted into
the rectum. It puts the
fecal matter into your
colon using pressure.
You’ll be awake during
the procedure.
Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of these methods, and choose which one is best for you.
What happens after the procedure?
You will need to:
•• You’ll be observed for 30 to 60 minutes.
•• Avoid unnecesssary antibiotics
•• You may be given medicine to keep you from going to the
bathroom. This helps give the fecal transplant in your body
enough time to settle in your gut.
•• Discuss any infections you may have
•• Your doctor may send you home if the treatment went well and
you don’t have other health concerns.
with your doctor
•• Wash hands frequently with warm
water and soap, and wipe toilet
surfaces with bleach wipes
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it should not be used to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease. Please consult your healthcare provider if you have any questions or concerns. More health information is
available at intermountainhealthcare.org. Patient and Provider Publications FS330 - 04/16 Also available in Spanish.
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